The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-11-19


"Im sure l don't see how l can do
any thing" said Mrs. Crazy, tossing
her head, when Mrs Hammond had
opened her subject. 'Our trip to Cal
ifornia was so expensive that l haven't
asked Pryor for dollar since he came
back; besides, it's Harrison's place to
support them, since they were so fool
ish as to give him the farm" She pos
sibly forgot to state that it was not
necessary to ask Mr.. Crazy for dol
lar, as he kept her pocket-book well
supplied voluntarily.
Surely the mistakes of feeble old
age ought not to be visited on them so
severely as this replied Mrs. Ham
mond. Father was getting too old to
work the farm satisfactorily, though
of course that doesn't relieve Harrison
of his promise; but it does seem burn
ing shame that the parents that have
brought us up so tenderly should be on
the town for support"
"Well, it does gall me terribly, said
Mrs, LOOMS, "to think where they
have brought themselves. Father al
ways would give, give, to the church,
and was always helping every body that
was little poorer than he, and then
to finish up by giving the farm to Har-
rison. It's no wonder he's on the
town"
There's no danger of your getting
there for any such reason" thought
Mrs. Hammond. but she kept her lips
wisely and firmly closed.
Il don't see how l can help it," con-
tinued Mrs LOOMS, cit does cost so
much to live; the girls are just coming
into society, and have to be dressed
extensively.
Cora was scolding this morning, be-
cause she has to use the old piano,
when the girls in her set are having
new ones. She is going to be a fine
musician, and, as | told her father at
dinner, we really must try to get hor
suitable instrument"
How are you going to spend
Thanksgiving, mother?" asked Marian,
turning the subject and rich bracelet
on her arm ut the same moment.
well, [ did think of giving din
ner" said Mrs. Crary. 1--WE are in
debted to Judge Macomber's people,
and half dozen other families, and l
thought it would be good time to re-
turn the hospitality, especially as l can
get that splendid cook of Mrs. Gray :"
"You will invite father and mother,
of course" perhaps Mrs. Hammond
did not mean to be sarcastic.
''Mercy MOI" said Mrs. Crazy en-
phatically, Il should sink with shame
to have them seen by such guests, in
their shabby clothes, and with their
old fashioned ways; the idear'
"And you propose to give Thanks
giving feast to strangers, and leave
your own parents to be fed on town
charity" said Mrs, Hammond indig-
nantly. 81 must say, Amelia, Inever
dreamed that wealth could harden you
So"
"Well what do you want me to do?"
said Mrs. Amelia, opening her eyes
very wide, I'm sure l give father Mr..
Crary's old clothes, and send over cold
victuals frequently" this statement
explained why Father Roadway habitu-
oily appeared in coats too short in the
sleeves, and with pantaloons nearly to
his shoe-tops, for Mr.. Crazy was
shorter than his father-in-law by sew
eral inches.
And gave mother my cloak last
winter when l bought my new one"
said Mrs. LOOMS. 1t was as much too
large for the dear old lady as Mr..
Crazy clothes We're too small for her
husband but she had tried to be thank
full.
"And how many old clothes have
you worked off on grandma said
Mrs. Hammond, turning to Marian,
who was turning diamond ring to
catch the sunlight.
''Well, rs to that" laughed Marian.
Il don't remember of disposing of any
in that way. | sell my old clothes to
the statuette peddler.
"And how much did you pay mother
for taking care of you last spring when
you were sick?" Mrs. Hammond was
getting thoroughly disguised and a
trife sharp.
"Why, l gave her five-dollar bill, ;"
replied Marian, flushing. Zone doesn' t
expect to pay ones relation for every
little kindness of that sort"
yet you could not have hired a
nurse to do what she did for Il cent less
than twenty-five dollars" said Mrs.
Hammond, significantly.
1t is needless to follow all the steps
by which Mrs. Hammond prevailed
upon her stylish sisters TO give a
grudging consent to establish birth
day-boX for the benefit of the old
couple. 1t was through fear Of what
they would say of them which first
influenced them, but as they talked u
real glow of filial feeling came to them,
and they consented, "if Harrison
would do his SHARE" to give the old
people Thanksgiving feast worthy of
the name, even to the exclusion of the
Judge Macomber dinner, and Mrs.
IL I 4